All About Subaru Tires: Service, Changes & Rotations

Friday, 15 May, 2020

Questions about tires are some of the most frequently asked at our Umansky Subaru of Charlottesville service department. Which are the best for this or that Subaru model? When should they be changed? What exactly are tire rotations and why are they important? Our service department is committed to making your vehicle maintenance convenient and simple, so our factory-trained techs compiled the following answers.

When should you change your Subaru tires?

As a general rule, you should change your Subaru tires every six years or sooner regardless of how many miles you log. Depending on Charlottesville weather, your driving habits and length of daily commutes, your tires may wear down more slowly or more quickly.

If your tires are seasonal, then you want to change them seasonally. Seasonal tires are designed to optimize temps and road conditions in a particular season and tend to erode quickly when used out of season.

Consult your owner's manual if you still have it or speak to one of our service department technicians for more specific guidelines about your Subaru model, tire brand and type.

Which Subaru tires should you get?

Fortunately, each Subaru model is compatible with a wealth of tire choices by reputable brands like Michelin, Firestone, and Pirelli. For example, the 2020 Outback rides smoothly and efficiently on tires by all of the brands mentioned above.

The actual tire type and size your Subaru requires depends on your model, year, and trim. Our service department can determine this for you. You may also find this info in your paper owner's manual or a virtual owner's manual at the Subaru website.

What are tire rotations and why are they necessary?

Tire rotations involve switching the position and orientation of tires on your Subaru. This exposes each tire to equalize tread wear, preserving tread integrity, traction, and overall efficiency.

Types of tire rotations required for your Subaru depend on engine and transmission layout: front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, or 4x4. Each layout places different amounts of stress on different tire positions, causing uneven wear. Rotations help even out and reverse this inevitable wear.

There are no hard and fast rules about the best intervals for tire rotations, but most experts recommend every 3,000 to 7,500 miles, around the same time your Subaru might be due for an oil change.

Schedule your next tire service appointment at our dealership today. Check out our service and parts coupons, too. We change them seasonally, so there's always something good to grab. We proudly serve drivers from Charlottesville and the vicinity. See you soon.